Link post construction for binders



` Feb. 24, 1953 P. o. BEHRINGER ETAL 2,629,224

LINK POST CONSTRUCTION FOR BINDERS Filed Deo. 2l, 1949 ,20 f 6 I 1 f 45'? 46) 24 46 292:9 4' 50 /fz- 4 f4 a o 46// Z8 4 52 56 40 afa 56 4 48,52

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Patented Feb. 24, 1953 LINK POST CONSTRUCTION FOR BINDERS Pete 0. Derringer, St. Louis, and Rooney W. Davis, Webster Groves, M0., assignors to Loose Leaf Metals Co., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri ApplicationDecember 21, 1949, ySerial No. 134,280

14 Claims. l

The present invention relates generally to .loose Vleaf binders, and more particularly to a novel link post construction forming an improvement over the link post construction shown in the Newman Patent No. 2,200,364.

Briefly, the present `novel link post construction comprises interlocked, die-cast zinc elements. A zinc die-cast lrider block having an integral -,projection extending from one side forms one end of the present link post construction. .A plurality of ,half -beans or links and interlocking retainer caps form the main body of the post .and are Vinterlocked to provide a ninety degree bend .at Aeach retainer cap. .An attachment end member completes theconstruction.

Thereforean `object of the present invention `is to provide a'noveldie-cast zinc link post construction which combines simplicity and sturdiness.

.Another object is to provide a novel zinc die- `cast link post `construction which incorporates a plurality `of pivotally associated links or half "beans which `are cut along their longitudinal axis `a projection in theform of end portions of a ,half bean.

Another :Objectis to `provide a novel zinc die- `cast link post construction which has a greater `tensilestrength than the presently employed link post constructions formed of machined metal, and

.in which `the rivets normally used Yin standard i construction` are entirely eliminated.

Other objects are` to provide a novel zinc decast flink post construction which is simple to :form as `to its `component parts and which is readily assembledfor use, which is inexpensive ,tol'cast yand to fabricate, whichhas a high tensile strength thereby reducing to a minimum breakage and `subsequent repair, which is formed of yidentical ,half beans, `which includes `relatively few parts, `and which finds Wide adaptation in the loose leaf binder field.

The foregoing and other objects and advan- `tagesare lapparentfrom the following descrip- `tion taken `with the :accompanying drawing, in

which:

1 isa plan view of-a zinc `die-cast `link ipost construction i incorporating `the teachings fbfxthepresentsinvention;

Fig. 2 `is a side elevational view thereof; Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view thereof; Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 4 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 isa side elevational view thereof, showing the attaching end member bent at ninety degrees to the `connected link and an interior link bent at less than ninety degrees;

Fig. 6 is a side'elevational view of a half bean;

Fig. 7 is a plan View thereof;

Fig. 8 is a bottom Aplan view of a retainercap;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational View thereof;

Fig. l0 is an end elevational view thereof, looking toward thestem; and

Fig. l1 is an end view of a book binder incorporating the present link post construction.

Referring to the drawing more particularly by reference numerals, 20 indicates generally a link post construction formed in accordance with the teachingsof the present invention. Broadly, the link vpost construction `.2li includes a .rider block or nut 2,2, half beans or `links v24, retainer `caps `26,.'and an attaching or connecting `member'28.

The block 22 is a zinc die-cast member of generally .rectangular form rounded at the ends as shown adapted for reciprocative movement with- .for reception of the usual threaded shafts likewisedisposedin the case (not shown). I-Ialf bean portions 34 and36 are formed integral with the block 22 and extend outwardly from one side vthereof as is clear from the drawing. The half bean portion 34 extends beyond the half bean `portion V36 and is in opposed relationthereto, `the former including a `boss 44 toward the free end extending from the ilat `surface thereof and` an opening 43 terminating in a well v49.

Each half bean 24 is of the "configuration clearly shown inFigs. 6 andi, having axflatsur- `face 4t and `agenerally flattened half-oval=surface 42. Concentric with one `end of the half bean 24 and extending from the flat 'surface 4!!I is a cylindrical boss 44, and concentric with the `other end is an annular well 46 of a depth subrations as the just described half bean 24, being, in effect, portions thereof.

The retainer cap 26 is of the configurationv clearly shown in the drawing, and includes aY rupted by an integral stem 54 extending vertically therefrom. Identical concave surfaces 56 are formed between the flat surface 52 and the con? veX surface D. It isto be noted that the concave surfaces 55 are formed to receive the rounded end of a bean 24 as is more particularly described below.

The connecting member 28 is of the contigueA ration clearly shown in the drawing, and includes 'bean portions 53 and Si) formed at one end of a main body portion 62 of cylindrical form. The main-rbodywportion 62 has a threaded well 64 for receiving a stationary member located in one case 30 (not shown). The bean portion 58 includes awell 46', and a rectangular opening 48', the latter terminating in a well 49'.

The assembly of the link post construction 26 merely'requires disposingV half beans 24 in op-V posed relation with each other and with the bean portion 34 of vtheblock 22 and with the bean portion 58 of the connecting member 28, and

then locking the. several elements together for the required pivotal movement by use of the reE tainer caps 26. Itis to be noted that the stem 54 is of a length to extend beyond the bean 24 through vwhich it is inserted, so that anchoring requires merely the. riveting or peening over of vthe free end thereof from the dotted position Y. shown in Fig. 4 to the solid line position. Specifically, abean 24 is disposed with its well 46 housing the vboss 44' of the bean portion 34 of the Vblock 22. A retainer cap 26 is disposed through the opening 38 of theV bean portion 34 andthe Vstem V54 thereof is riveted to substan- Ytially ll the well 49. `tional beans24 are similarly secured in position Thereafterwards, addione to the other until the desired length is ob- `tainedfor Vthe link post construction 2li, the Y c over-'all length to include the connecting memeach half bean 24, as is indicated in Fig. 5. The

converging lines defining the convex surface 50 are so formed that each engages a half bean 24 topermit a ninety degree bend, but no greater,

" forming the function of retaining the elements in operative position. Anchoring or securing of the linkage to the block 22 is eliminated, since the half bean portions 34 and 36are cast integral with the block 22 and form parts thereof. This adds strength to the construction and renders the post construction 20 less expensive.V Such also facilitates formation of the post construction 20.

It is manifest that a link post construction of high tensile strength has been provided, since and pivotally connected and secured to each other the pull is distributed through the bosses 44 and 44'. Very little, if any, shearing effect is transmitted to the stems 54 of the retainer caps 26. All of the elements of the present link post construction 26 are zinc die-cast members. VSturdy elements are Vthereby provided which require no machining.

It is manifest that there has been provided a link post construction which fulfills the objects and advantages sought therefor.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description` and the accompanying drawing have been given by way of illustration and example.

It is also to be understood that changes in form of the elements, rearrangement of parts, and substitution of equivalent elements, which will be VobviousV to those skilled in the art, are contem. plated `as within the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the claims which Y follow.

,What is claimed is:

1. Link post construction comprising, in combination, a rider block, a plurality of half bean links which include a `fiat surface and a flattened half Voval surface, the peripheries of said two surfaces being identical, said links cut along their longitudinal axis, positioned in two opposed rows with the flat sides contiguous and with the links of opposed rows overlapping, and retainer caps securing said links to eachother and to said rider block, there being a retainer cap betwo surfaces being identical, said links cut along their longitudinal axis, Vpositioned in two opposed rows with the flat sides contiguous and with the links of opposed rows overlapping, and retainer caps securing said links to each other and -to said rider block, there 'being a retainer cap between each end to end pair of links anchored in the opposed link, said links being pivotally connectedV and secured chainwise to each other to prevent any sliding action of the half bean links relative to one another other than a relative rotation through said pivotal connection and to said rider block, said retainer caps comprising' the only securing means. Y

3. Link post construction comprising, in cornbination, a rider block, link portionsformed integral with said Yrider blockand extending therefrom, half bean links which include a flat surface and a hemicylindrical surface having ends which are spherical in nature, the peripheries of said two surfaces being identical, said links cut along their longitudinal axis, positioned in two opposed rows with the flat sides contiguous and with the links of opposed-rows overlapping and to one link portion to prevent any sliding action of the half bean links relativeto one another other than a relative rotation Vthrough said pivotal connection and thereby forming aV linkage, and retainer cap securing said links against removal from each other and from said one link portion, there being a retainer cap between each end to end pair 4of links anchored in vacances Ythe opposed-link fand `vbetween said `rider block Alink vportion and 1the adjacent -endto end-llink.

lJlliin-k post-construction comprising, lin combination, ,a rider block, link portions formed integral-withasaid `rider v`block and extending theresaidiltwo lsurfaces :being identical, said links cut along their longitudinal axis,.:positioned lin `two opposedrrowswvith the `flat sides contiguous and with the links of opposed rows overlapping and pivotally connected and secured to each other ,and to one link portion to `prcnzent any :Sliding actiono'f the half bean `links'relative to `one another other than a relative rotation through said pivotal connection and thereby forming a linkage, and retainer caps securing said links against removal from each other and from said one link portion, there being a retainer cap between each end to end pair of links anchored in the opposed link and between said rider block link portion and the adjacent end to end link, said links and retainer caps being formed so that each retainer cap forms a closed housing contiguous with the ends of the adjacent links on one side of said retainer cap and is open at the other side to permit a bend of ninety degrees at the end of each link in one direction and to substantially restrict bending in the opposite direction.

5. Link post construction comprising, in combnation, a zinc die-cast rider block, link portions formed integral with said rider block and extending therefrom, zinc die-cast half bean links which include a at surface and a flattened half oval surface, the peripheries of said two surfaces being identical, said links cut along their longitudinal axis and pivotally connected and secured to each other and to one link portion to prevent any sliding action of the half bean links relative to one another other than a relative rotation through said pivotal connection and thereby forming a linkage, and Zinc die-cast retainer caps securing said links against removal from each other and from said one link portion.

6. Link post construction comprising, in combination, a rider block, link portions formed integral with said rider block and,i xtending theren from, half bean links whi surface and a flattened half oval surface, the peripheries of said two surfaces being identical, said links` cut along their longitudinal axis and pivota-lly connected and secured to each other and to one link portion to prevent any sliding action of the half bean links relative to one another other than a relative rotation through said pivotal connection and thereby forming a linkage, and retainer caps securing said links against removal from each other and from said one link portion in a direction normal to said linkage, said retainer caps comprising the only securing means in said direction.

7. Zinc die-cast linkage comprising opposed zinc die-cast half bean links which include a fiat surface and a hemicylindrical surface having ends which are spherical in nature, the peripheres of said two surfaces being identical, said links cut along their longitudinal axis and pivotally connected and secured to each other to prevent any sliding action of the half bean links relative to one another other than a relative rotation through` said pivotal connection, and zinc die-cast elements securing said links together, each including a portion disposed between include a fiat i abutting linksfand fa portion :extending through -and anchored .in 1an opposed link.

8.1Zinc die-cast linkage .comprising .opposed `Zinc die-cast half bean links which include a 'flat surface and a hemicyl-indrical surfacehaving `ends which are spherical :in rnature, `the...periph cries -of `said two surfaces being identical, said links "out along their longitudinal axis and pvotally connected to 4each other, each link `having `an annular boss and `anannular well servingias the pivotal connection, and zinc diecast elements securing said links together, each `including Aa portion disposed betweenabutting links and a `portion extending through and anchoredin an opposed link.

9. `A `zinc die-past link including ia flatfsurface, a iattened half oval surface, the peripheries of said two surfaces being identical, a well in said nat surface near one end of said links, and a boss extending outwardly from said flat surface near the other end of said link.

1U. A zinc die-cast retainer cap for securing links together comprising a main body portion having a convex surface converging from a maximum width at one end to substantially a point at the other end, said body portion also including identical concave surfaces and a flat surface separating the same, and a stem extending Vertically from said flat surface.

ll. Link post construction comprising, in combination, at least three half bean links which include a flat surface and a flattened .half oval surface, the peripheries of said two surfaces being identical, said links cut along their longitudinal axis, at least three retainer caps, two of said links being in end to end relation and said third link being disposed midway of said two links with its flat side against the flat sides of said two links, and separate means pivotally connecting and securing said two links to said third link to prevent any sliding action of the half bean links relative to one another other than a relative rotation through said pivotal connection, one of said retainer caps being disposed between said two links and anchored to said third link, a second retainer cap being disposed adjacent one end of said third link and anchored in one of said two links, and the third retainer cap being disposed adjacent the other end of said third link and anchored in the other of said two links.

12. The link post construction of claim 11 in which said retainer caps include a convex outer surface and opposed concave inner surfaces, each of said concave inner surfaces being formed to receive a portion of the convex end of a halfbean link and to permit relative movement in one direction only from a substantially straight line relationship.

13. Link post construction comprising, in combination, a rider block, a plurality of half bean links which include a flat surface and a hemicylindrical surface having ends which are spherical in nature, the peripheries of said two surfaces being identical, said links out along their longitudinal axis, a connecting member, one link being pivotally connected to said rider block and one link being pivotally connected to said connecting member, said links between said rider block and said connecting member being disposed in two flat-side opposed end to end rows, the links of opposed rows being positioned so that a single link of one row spans substantially two half portions of the links of the opposed row, said links being pivotally connected and secured one to another to prevent any sliding action of the "half bean links relative to one another other than a relative rotation through said pivotal connection and thereby forming a chain, and a plurality of retainer caps, one of said retainer caps extending between each pair of end to end links and anchored in the opposed link, a retainer cap n being disposed between said rider block and the link to which the same is'pivotally connected and being anchored in said rider block, and al .retainer cap being disposed between said con- Y 8 retainerr cap between end to end links being formed to permit pivotal movement of the links in one direcion only from a substantially straight line arrangement.

PETE O. DERRINGER. ROONEY W. DAVIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 10 le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,997,886 Newman Apr. 16, 1935 15 2,362,383

Lindinara Nov. '7, 1944 

